Assessment of Busselton bypass road to start soon

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A formal environmental assessment, including community input, of the proposed Busselton bypass road would begin soon, Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today.

Mr Charlton said while the proposal for an 11-kilometre bypass had been in the town's planning scheme for 10 years, there were some community concerns about the environmental impact of the route.

The proposed route is south of the town from the junction of the Vasse and Bussell Highways to the Bussell Highway just south of Caves Road.

Mr Charlton said Main Roads' Bunbury division was preparing a brief for a consultant to undertake the concept design and consultative environmental review for the route.

Tenders would be called soon and public consultation would be an integral part of the study, which should be completed by the end of October.

If the review was acceptable, the alignment of the bypass and the associated land requirements would be accurately defined and future planning of the townsite could proceed.

"At that time, the question of construction priority would be assessed in conjunction with the Busselton Shire Council," the Minister said.

"The by-pass is expected to have a major function as an urban arterial road serving the requirements of local traffic as well as those of through traffic.

"Taking that into account, it should significantly reduce congestion on the existing highway through Busselton."

A two-lane single carriageway bypass would cost about $9 million, including land and engineering costs.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595